Also known as painful intercourse syndrome, vulvodynia is an often-oversimplified diagnosis for a very complicated and debilitating syndrome. Pudendal neuralgia is inflammation of the pudendal nerve. This condition causes burning or stabbing pain in the genitals, urethra or anus. The pain often gets worse over the course of a day and is exacerbated by sitting. Both conditions make sex incredibly painful.
Sex should not cause you persistent pain. It can get better. You’re not alone.

December 17, 2011

Life with Vulvodynia & Pudendal Neuralgia: A Year In Review

I have not posted in months because, nursing school has taken over my life. I don't think, say or do anything that is NOT school-related. I've been meaning to post since September when I went and saw my pelvic pain specialist.

I needed a refill of Neurontin, but when I called in to request it, his receptionist said I had to come in first. This wouldn't be an issue, but for the fact that his office has moved 45-50 minutes away from me.

When I saw my doctor, he told me that the last time I had schedule an appointment was in November of 2010. I had come to him with a suspected yeast infection, that (no surprise) turned out to be an overgrowth of lactobacillus instead.

I was amazed that I hadn't seen him in such a long time. Back in 2007, I feel like I must have seen him once a month.

This long reprieve reflects a couple factors:
1) I've learned how to be careful with my body and modify my behavior to prevent flares
2) When flares do occur, my doctor has given me enough tools to manage them on my own
3) I haven't had the time or energy to seek treatment when I felt I needed it

I have definitely managed. I had periods of severe pain, but I knew from my years of experience with my doctor and a better understanding of my body that with rest and better care, the pain would typically improve.

Admittedly, I haven't taken the best care of myself since nursing school began. I haven't bothered to use my estrogen/testosterone compound nightly, as prescribed. The consequence has been that of the scant few times I have had sex, it has been extremely painful at the onset.

I have had no sex drive since school started. For me, with less sex comes fewer pain issues. This is not necessarily a good thing. I know that my relationship has suffered because of school.

The positive thing to take away from this post is that I am managing my vulvodynia and pudendal neuralgia well enough with the tools I have.

Hi! I am up at 2am due to unrelenting pain...that I've had since Monday morning. Spent this evening in the urgent care center, and the doctors are baffled. After the past few days (and hours)of typing in symptoms, I am almost positive I have pudendal nerve neuralgia. the hydrocodone they gave me at urgent care hasn't even touched my pain, and I'm in agony...sleepless again. Just stumbled across your blog and am now going to read through it. Thanks for writing and sharing. I feel absolutely hopeless right now, wondering where to start, which kind of doctor to see, and it's comforting to know someone else understands. Thanks again.amy

yeast infectionYeast infections are infections that causes but some certain kind of fungus that grows in some certain part of our body. Usually, yeast infections is easily find in women with some certain part that attacked by the yeast infections, like in the vagina, in the armpit or somewhere else.

My name is Michele Werner. A previous doctor said I had vulvodynia. My most recent OB-GYN says is IC. It can be confusing down there.

However, I've been using Promescent when an episode starts and it gives me great relief. This product was designed for .... can you believe it ... premature ejaculation!! But it has a unique formula for enabling lidocaine to absorb.

Hi, I'm 51 years old. I hurt my pudental at work and hit menopause in the same period. It was in 2012. I know pain because the use of vaginal estrogen led me to adenomyosis and I had hysterectomy last spring. The adhesions hurt my left urether so I have the same symptoms than IC + vulvar pain. I can't take any antidepressant because I was diagnosed bipolar in 1982 and it could trigger a mania. I use clonazepam (anti-convulsant) and 5% lidocaine patches on my left buttock. It's bearable but got problems wearing pants...and sex is on pause since 2012...I have a good husband. I'm thinking about taking Wellbutrin but I stopoed taking lithium in 2013 after 30 years and lost 30 pounds. I don't show signs of mania or deptession, just anxiety. Lithium is tough on urinary tract...What are the most common side effects with Wellbutrin? Thanks for your time!